The most commonly talked about ancient superstition in the Greek Isles. The evil eye can strike at any given moment. Perhaps there was an occasion that you were dressed up and someone told you how nice you look. A few minutes later you spilled coffee down the front of you, Or maybe someone told you how beautiful your new vase was and a while later it fell to the ground shattering in a thousand pieces. That’s the evil eye. To ward it off, there are a few different things you can do. You can buy blue charms shaped like eyes to ‘reflect’ the evil and they are worn on a necklace or a bracelet. Blue beads can also be worn instead of an eye. Blue is the colour that wards off the evil of the eye, but it is also commonly thought that blue eyed people are exceptional givers of it. So beware when a blue eyed person pays you a compliment, according to the superstition, it could be disastrous. Another way to ward off the evil eye is with garlic. There are rare instances when a single clove will grow into the shape of a small head of garlic. If you’re lucky enough to come across one, guard it well as it is the best thing to keep away the evil eye. You can carry it in your pocket, or keep it in a hanky in your bra. If you can’t brave the garlic, there is an alternative, When you get a compliment remember to say ‘Skorda (garlic)’ under your breath and spit three times on yourself. If you know the individual that is complimenting you, tell them to spit on you too. The Greek Orthodox Church also believes in the evil eye, and they refer to it as “Baskania”.